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Lisa Augustine, right, demonstrates how use a blood pressure monitor at United We Sweat's first-ever open house at LCCC on March 13. The program partners local organizations to promote health and wellness in Lorain County communities.

United We Sweat hosts fitness and wellness open house at LCCC

Lisa Augustine, right, demonstrates how use a blood pressure monitor at United We Sweat's first-ever open house at LCCC on March 13. The program partners local organizations to promote health and wellness in Lorain County communities.

Multiple community organizations came together on March 13 at Lorain County Community College to promote free, ongoing health initiatives occurring in Lorain County.

“United We Sweat is a fun and easy way for people in Lorain County to get up and get moving,” said Lisa Augustine, professor and program coordinator of HPER at Lorain County Community College. “The goal of the open house is to bring awareness to the types of free activities you might find on the United We Sweat calendar throughout the year and to show that working out doesn’t have to be overly strenuous or boring, it can be fund and engaging and adjusted to fit any individual need or limitation.”

United We Sweat is a partnership between the French Creek Family YMCA, LCCC, Lorain County Metro Parks, Lorain County Public Health, United Way of Greater Lorain County and University Hospitals Avon Health Center.

Guests had the opportunity to try Tai-Chi in addition to full-body workout sessions without the use of equipment and learn more about healthy living options in Lorain County.

LCCC in partnership with Lorain County Public Health is also collaborating to promote heart health. The public could learn how to take their blood pressure and the risk factors involved.

“We are working with Lorain County Public Health’s General Health District to let everybody know their numbers,” Augustine said. “In other words, heart disease is something that kills more Americans than any disease in the United States. We want people to know the silent risk factor that is high blood pressure.”

Since January, LCCC has had a blood pressure monitor installed on campus and more than 300 people have learned their numbers.

The initiative started about seven years ago and aims to ensure that everyone in Lorain County has access to quality physical activities no matter their location, income, age or skill level by providing a diverse calendar of free year-round fitness and wellness opportunities in different locations throughout Lorain County.

More information on United We Sweat opportunities is available by calling 2-1-1 or searching United We Sweat Lorain County online with of schedule of events.